Pregnancy is a sensitive period in women when hormones as well as the diet of pregnant women change. Therefore, your teeth and gums are at risk of being weakened, due to hormonal changes in the body as well as nutrition.
Most pregnancy does not cause discomfort to the teeth, but up to 90% of pregnant women have symptoms of gingivitis. Gestational gingivitis is the most common dental condition associated with pregnancy and usually begins as early as the second month of pregnancy. If you have pre-existing gingivitis, it may worsen during pregnancy. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, which destroys the tissues supporting the teeth and gradually leads to tooth loss.
So when pregnant, how should we take care of our teeth properly?
- Brush your teeth thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste at least 2 times a day
- Use dental floss at least once a day
- Eat a balanced diet, limit snacking to preserve oral health for you and your baby
- Visit your dentist periodically to clean your teeth (get tartar), check and advise on oral health. The best time to go to dental examination and treatment is from the 4th to 6th month of pregnancy. When examining your teeth, let your dental doctor know that you are pregnant. This will help doctors come up with the best treatment.
